…Case Continues January 18, 2024

Embattled Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria will continue to remain at the Kuje Correctional Service (NCS), due to his inability to meet with the bail conditions set by the Court for him to regain his freedom as his legal battle with the Federal Government of Nigeria continues.

The former CBN boss was returned to the prison by the NCS officers who had also brought him for the continuation of his trial on Tuesday where he is facing a six-count charge bordering on alleged procurement crimes at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

On November 18, the former CBN boss was arraigned at the Federal High Court on six counts charge on procurement rules infringement totaling N1.6 billion. He is the sole defendant in the case while some of his former staff at the CBN may be lined up as witnesses against him.

In the suit, the Federal Government has alleged that Emefiele illegally bought 43 vehicles between 2018 and 2020 worth N1.2 billion. He was also accused of awarding a contract for the procurement of 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles valued at N854 million, including one Toyota Avalon at the cost of N99.9 million, one Toyota Landcruiser V8 at the cost of N73.8 million, two Toyota Hilux Shell Specification at the cost of N44,200,000.

On the other count, Emefiele was also alleged to have awarded Yaro a contract for the procurement of two Toyota Land Cruiser VXR V8 worth N138 million.

Having pleaded not guilty in the matter, Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court granted him bail of N300 millions and two sureties in the like sum. The court also ruled that the sureties must have landed properties around the jurisdiction of the court, mandating the prison officials to remand him in Kuje prison pending the time of meeting the bail conditions.

Meanwhile, at his appearance in court on Tuesday, the witness presented by the prosecutor, who is a top official of the Corporate Affairs Commission, told the court that Emefiele was neither the owner nor the shareholder of the company that received the N1.2 billion contract. Instead, the witness, mentioned Aminu Yaro Maryam Abdullahi and Saadatu Yaro as the joint owners of the company.

However, since the former CBN governor was unable to fulfill conditions set for his bail, he was taken away by the officers of the NCS, after the court adjourned the matter to January 18.

Giving reasons for being taken back to Kuje Correctional Centre, Emefiele’s lawyer revealed that the former CBN governor was yet to meet his bail conditions.

It is yet to be seen, if Mr Emefiele would be able to meet his bail conditions before the next adjournment date.